A Leicester woman is planning the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand after scooping £416,949 on People’s Postcode Lottery.
Rheanne Thomas, 32, a marketing and admin worker from Leicester, said she was “gobsmacked” after learning she had landed the huge prize when her postcode, LE3 0SE, won the lottery’s Millionaire Street draw on Saturday, 20 December.
Picture credit: People’s Postcode Lottery
A self-confessed film buff, Rheanne said her first big plan is to take her close-knit family on a Lord of the Rings tour of New Zealand. She and her seven siblings are devoted fans of the fantasy franchise and regularly hold all-night movie marathons.
“I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand and see the sites of Lord of the Rings,” she said. “It’s a family affair. The number of times we’ve done marathons watching all the films – sleepless nights watching the extended editions in chronological order.
“I know my family would absolutely love that trip. Just seeing the landscapes and walking in the characters’ footsteps will be incredible.”
Rheanne shared the £1 million street prize with another neighbour, with each winning ticket worth £416,949. A further £165,888 was shared among 276 players in the wider LE3 0 postcode sector. It marks the fourth time in two years that Millionaire Street has landed in the Leicester area.
Single and living with her pet cat Carl, Rheanne said she was left in disbelief when lottery ambassador Judie McCourt revealed her win.
“I’m looking at the number, but it doesn’t look like a real number,” she said. “I didn’t quite believe it was happening. It really has changed my life.”
Beyond travel, Rheanne hopes the win will allow her to get onto the property ladder and enjoy financial security, while also making special memories with her family.
“It’s lovely to have money for security, but also the possibility of having experiences,” she said. “My emotions are all over the place. Excitement is an understatement.”
Picture credit: Picture Postcode Lottery
A long-time volunteer, Rheanne said she originally joined People’s Postcode Lottery to support charities, particularly those helping children. As a result of the draw, Leicester-based charity Home-Start Horizons has received £60,000, taking the total raised for the organisation by lottery players to £1 million.
Stuart Sullivan, chief executive of Home-Start Horizons, said the funding would help support families across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland at a time of growing need.
For Rheanne, the win also offers a chance to reconnect with her passion for music and songwriting — and to look ahead to a very different future.
“I’ve been thinking too small,” she said. “Now I’m looking forward to travelling, settling into a home of my own, and making memories. Our life is going to be so different after this.”
